Proverbs 29:1 ¶ He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
A person that has to be continually corrected and rebuked will become stiff-necked and refuse to listen. Being stiff-necked is the same as being hard-hearted; they are terms describing attitudes of prideful rebellion and a seared conscience. They are the type of people about which Paul warned Timothy.
1 Timothy 4:1–2 “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron….”
Ironside: “God is gracious and long-suffering, slow to anger, and does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. Yet even His patience with the unrepentant will one day come to an end. He will plead, and strive, and warn until it is clear that the heart is fully set on having its own way. Then He leaves the hardened soul to its doom, giving it up to sudden destruction.”
Proverbs 29:2 ¶ When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
This is another of many repeated words of wisdom from Solomon. Righteous rulers cause the people to rejoice; wicked rulers cause the people to mourn. Why? Righteous rulers care about the people they govern; wicked rulers are selfish, caring nothing for the people except for how they can be used to their benefit.
Henry: “If the righteous be in authority, sin will be punished and restrained, religion and virtue will be supported and kept in reputation; but, if the wicked get power in their hands, wickedness will abound, religion and religious people will be persecuted, and so the ends of government will be perverted.”
Proverbs 29:3 ¶ Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance.
I look at this as another proverb of contrast. A wise son brings joy to his father; he knows that inheritance is in good hands. A foolish son that consorts with prostitutes grieves his father; he will waste his inheritance.
Again, this goes right along with Paul’s words of warning to Timothy.
2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
Proverbs 29:4 ¶ The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it.
A kingdom is made stable when ruled in justice before the LORD. A kingdom is ruined, however, when the ruler is greedy and seeks bribes or imposes exorbitant taxes for his own profit and purposes.
Proverbs 29:5 ¶ A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
This verse can be read two ways. A man that flatters someone is setting a trap for the person he flatters or for himself. The person he flatters is susceptible to falling into the trap of his deceit. The flatterer is susceptible to falling into a trap of overconfidence that will lead to his downfall.
Proverbs 29:6 ¶ In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.
I liked the NIV translation: “An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad.”
In context, this would seem to strengthen the thought in the previous verse that the flatterer is falling into a trap that will lead to his downfall. It is a fact that sin is a trap of evil consequences for the sinner. The righteous man has nothing to fear; he can rejoice and sing over his blessings from the LORD.
Proverbs 29:7 ¶ The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
The righteous person that wants to honor the LORD will care about and want to help those that are less fortunate. The wicked, however, do not care about the needs for others; they are selfish.
Ironside: The righteous “recognizing his own indebtedness to God’s sustaining and preserving grace, is quick to show compassion to the indigent who cry for help. In his benevolence he becomes an imitator of Christ who always ‘went about doing good’
(Acts 10:38).”
Proverbs 29:8 ¶ Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
People that scorn and mock others for whatever reason can “fan a fire” (from the Hebrew) and cause turmoil in a city. Wise men always seek to defuse anger and promote peace and calm.
There are many examples of this truth in the news today. It seems that there are so many in the media and in government today that are scorners that are always provoking unrest and discord among the people. In comparison, there are relatively few that seek to look at matters using wisdom and urging people to use reason and respect for others in making decisions that affect us all. Scorners are only focused on attaining their selfish goals without regard to anyone else; wise men are concerned about the welfare of others as well as themselves.
Proverbs 29:9 ¶ If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
This proverb really connects to the truth of the previous one. The wise person that governs with justice will never be able to please the foolish man. The wise person is intent on justice, while the foolish person is intent on his wickedness.
Again, this is in evidence in the news in America today (2019). Even when one of their own has issued a judgment based on a finding of a committee composed almost entirely of their own ideology declaring our President innocent of collusion, those that are foolish rage on declaring his guilt and determined to get their way in spite of the findings.
Proverbs 29:10 ¶ The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
Over and over again, Solomon has pointed out how the wicked (from root for “bloodthirsty”), those that reject the LORD, hate the upright, those that fear and honor the LORD.
The word “seek” states, “to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer).” This is a beautiful truth. The truly just person grieves over the soul of the wicked person and prays for him to turn to God in faith and repentance.
Ironside: “This concern for the blessing of others is one of the first and strongest evidences that a man has been born of God.”
Again, there is a connection to Paul’s words to Timothy.
2 Timothy 2:24–26 “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
Proverbs 29:11 ¶ A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
The Hebrew seems to indicate that the fool is speaking rashly in anger; he is venting for everyone to hear. The wise man will take the time to consider his words before speaking his mind in any given situation.
I am reminded of the words of James.
James 1:19–20 “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”
Proverbs 29:12 ¶ If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.
If a ruler honors liars, it stands to reason that he will surround himself with servants and advisers that are wicked.
EBC Abridged: “Once a ruler begins to listen to lies, his court will be corrupted. The point is that courtiers adjust themselves to the prince—when they see that deception and court flattery win the day, they learn how the game is played.”
Proverbs 29:13 ¶ The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes.
All men, including the poor and the deceiver, have one thing in common—the LORD is the source of light to their eyes. The most obvious application is to the light of vision that allows them to see the world around them, referencing the LORD as their Creator. Spiritually speaking, He is the source of the light of understanding that leads to salvation and eternal life.
John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
Proverbs 29:14 ¶ The king that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever.
I am reminded again that Solomon is speaking wisdom that assumes a kingdom in which the LORD is honored. A king that is known for giving righteous judgment and not showing prejudice is likely to have a long reign; he strengthens the throne for his son to succeed him. His subjects will respect and honor him.
Proverbs 29:15 ¶ The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
Children are born with a sin nature. Without the benefit of godly reproof and correction, he will bring shame to his parents. I believe the mother is singled out because she is the one who is more involved in the instruction of a child, especially in his younger years, since the father is usually occupied more outside the home in providing for his family.
Proverbs 29:16 ¶ When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.
Solomon warns that the more the wicked increase in numbers and authority (from the Hebrew), the more sin is nourished and increased (from the Hebrew). The righteous can be assured that the downfall of the wicked is certain.
Sadly, this truth is on display in America and throughout the world today. Immorality and rejection of the word of God are flourishing and more and more people are accepting immorality as the norm. They either do not understand or do not believe that the LORD, the Righteous Judge, is going to hold them accountable for their sin.
John 5:26–29 “For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.”
Revelation 20:11–15 “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Proverbs 29:17 ¶ Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.
I liked the wording of the NLT: “Discipline your children, and they will give you happiness and peace of mind.”
The truth of this proverb is so evident in the public arena. Children that have been lovingly disciplined are a joy to be around. Children that through lack of discipline have been allowed to rule the roost are anything but enjoyable to be around.
Ironside: “Perhaps nothing so causes one to realize his own failures and shortcomings as to see them duplicated in his children; and nothing, therefore, makes one feel more keenly the need of divine grace and wisdom in dealing with their children. But God’s Word is sure. Let the father and mother exercise a firm but kindly discipline, and God has promised that their efforts will bear good fruit.”
Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
And the New Testament version: Hebrews 12:11 “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
Proverbs 29:18 ¶ Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
After looking at the Hebrew, I like the CJB translation: “Without a prophetic vision, the people throw off all restraint; but he who keeps Torah is happy.”
In other words, people need to hear the revelation of God’s word, the preaching and teaching of His will as revealed in His word. Without that, people are subject to the lure of sin and the pleasure it affords for a season. Yes, the scripture acknowledges that sin pleases the flesh.
Hebrews 11:24–25 “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season….”
When people are taught the law, God’s will as revealed in His word, and choose to obey it, they will be blessed. They cannot make this choice without knowing there is a choice to make.
Romans 10:14 & 17 “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?…So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Proverbs 29:19 ¶ A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer.
The plain reading implies that a servant will not learn by mere verbal correction, he requires physical discipline to get the proper response. I’m struggling with this one because I don’t think that would be true of servants living in a society where most people honored the LORD.
The comments from Ironside help: “The Septuagint reads, ‘a stubborn servant,’ which seems to convey the right thought. Correction by words alone would avail little with such an unprincipled and self-willed person. Therefore strict discipline would be required to make him render proper service, which is implied in the phrase ‘he will not answer’ (kjv).”
Proverbs 29:20 ¶ Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.
Simply put—A fool can expect a better response than someone who speaks rashly. One who speaks hastily often finds himself with the proverbial foot in his mouth.
Proverbs 29:21 ¶ He that delicately bringeth up his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the length.
Most of the translations are negative, e.g., the NIV: “If a man pampers his servant from youth, he will bring grief in the end.”
If I take the wording from the Hebrew at face value from the KJV, it seems to say that a child that is trained to be a family servant will grow up to be like a beloved son of the family.
I think the truth is conveyed no matter which way you read it.
Guzik quoting Morgan words it well: “An evil servant treated well assumes the position of a son in arrogance. A good servant treated well assumes the position of a son in devotion.”
Proverbs 29:22 ¶ An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
Different Hebrew words are used for “angry” and “furious.” The word for “furious” makes reference to heated anger that is raging and poisonous. An angry person is quick to start a quarrel or a fight. A furious person causes sin exponentially in comparison. I think of the angry man as one that is provoked to anger for whatever reason and responding rashly. I think of the furious person as one who is calculating with an ever-growing anger that expresses himself in all kinds of wickedness.
Proverbs 29:23 ¶ A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
I like the wording of the CJB: “The proud will be humbled, but the humble will be honored.”
This reminds me of the words of Jesus: Matthew 23:12 “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
And the words of James: James 4:6 “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
Henry: “Those that think to gain respect by lifting up themselves above their rank, by looking high, talking big, appearing fine, and applauding themselves, will on the contrary expose themselves to contempt, lose their reputation, and provoke God by humbling providences to bring them down and lay them low…..Honour shall uphold the humble in spirit; their humility is their honour, and that shall make them truly and safely great, and recommend them to the esteem of all that are wise and good.
Proverbs 29:24 ¶ Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.
I liked the wording of the NIV: “The accomplice of a thief is his own enemy; he is put under oath and dare not testify.”
The partner of the thief is scared to testify because it will bring about his own conviction. He could also be afraid of the consequences he could face with his other partners in crime.
Proverbs 29:25 ¶ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
My paraphrase: When the fear of man is stronger than your trust in the LORD, it is trap the enemy uses to weaken your faith. If we will but keep our mind stayed on the LORD and trust in Him, we will have perfect peace.
Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
The first part of the verse expresses the truth behind the powerful influence of peer pressure. It is the fear of not being accepted or considered weak or foolish by one’s peers that has resulted in many a teenager in particular giving in to temptation.
Guzik: “Many people of good heart but not enough courage live in bondage to the fear of man. They worry far too much about what people think, instead of first being concerned about what God and wisdom say, and what integrity would lead them to do.”
Smith: “The fear of man will cause even great men to do untoward things. Because of the fear of King Abimelech, Abraham tried to toss his wife off as a sister….My great hero David was afraid of King Achish who was the king of the Philistine city of Gath, and David suddenly became afraid that Achish would maybe imprison him or something. And so David began to act like a madman.”
Proverbs 29:26 ¶ Many seek the ruler’s favour; but every man’s judgment cometh from the LORD.
Many seek to have the favor of the ruling authority, but every man will receive righteous judgment from the LORD.
I think the first part of the verse is a reference to gaining the ruler’s favor, possibly even by bribery, to get a judgment to his favor.
I think the last part of the verse has to reference the judgment of God that will rectify all things in the end. The judgment that determines one’s eternal welfare.
Guzik quoting Garrett: “Verse 26 does not forbid seeking relief from injustice through the legal system, but it does state that one should place more faith in Yahweh than in human institutions.”
Proverbs 29:27 ¶ An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
This is a principle that has already been stated several times in Solomon’s writings. Simply put—The wicked person and the righteous person are disgusting to one another.
Gill: “He that is upright in the way, that makes conscience of what he says and does, is an abomination to the wicked, whose wickedness is restrained perhaps and suppressed, or, at least, shamed and condemned, by the uprightness of the upright.”
Proverbs 30:1 ¶ The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
Ironside: “Some commentators have supposed Agur to stand for Solomon and Jakeh for David; but the most straightforward explanation is that Agur was an inspired man of whom we have no record elsewhere in Scripture. His father’s name gives no clue to his family or tribe in Israel. Ithiel, which is translated “God is with me” and Ucal, “able,” are apparently his companions, or possibly persons who received instruction from him.”
Clarke: “From this introduction, from the names here used, and from the style of the book, it appears evident that Solomon was not the author of this chapter; and that it was designed to be distinguished from his work by this very preface, which specifically distinguishes it from the preceding work. Nor can the words in Proverbs 30:2, Proverbs 30:3, Proverbs 30:8, Proverbs 30:9, be at all applied to Solomon: they suit no part of Solomon's life, nor of his circumstances.”
Guzik quoting Bridges: “Nothing definite is known about the writers, and it is vain to speculate where God is silent. It is much better to give our full attention to the teaching than to indulge in unprofitable speculation about the writers.”
Proverbs 30:2 Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.
Proverbs 30:3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
I agree with Clarke in that this doesn’t sound at all like Solomon; he was famous throughout the ancient world for his wisdom. This man Agur is basically calling himself stupid and lacking discernment. He also claims no knowledge of God or sacred things (from the Hebrew for “holy”). As we move forward in this chapter, this seems to me to be his way of expressing his humility in light of all that He doesn’t know and understand in comparison to what he does know and understand.
Ironside: “Agur was a plain, simple man, of little natural ability, perhaps even below average in human intelligence. Yet the Lord opened his understanding, revealing to him great and precious things; and He gave him the wisdom to impart these truths to not only Ithiel and Ucal, but untold thousands who are still profiting from his words.”
Proverbs 30:4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son’s name, if thou canst tell?
I think it is obvious that these questions are rhetorical. The LORD God is the obvious answer. I think the writer was quite familiar with the truth of scripture.
Psalm 139:1 “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me….If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there….”
Jeremiah 10:10 “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God….and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.”
Job 26:8 “He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.”
Isaiah 40:28 “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?”
Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Proverbs 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
The first part of verse 5 is an inspired statement of the infallibility of God’s word. It is because of that infallibility that God can be trusted to protect and take care of those that put their faith in Him. God’s word is full of promises to this effect. We should be careful, however, not to add to what God has said. To do so is to be subject to His reproof and identified as a liar. Moses warned of this very thing.
Deuteronomy 4:2 “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.”
John also repeats this warning in the book of Revelation.
Revelation 22:18–19 “For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
These verses both encourage me as I seek to share my studies of the scripture with others, while also giving me a healthy fear of misrepresenting the truth of His word. I try to be very careful to note that I am sharing the truth as I understand it, but that I am always subject to correction and/or further enlightenment. I know that I am accountable to God, and I so want to rightly represent Him.
Ironside: “In each age there have been visionaries and enthusiasts, as well as frauds and charlatans, who have sought to supplement the Bible with revelations and compilations of their own, claiming divine authority. But when compared with these writings, the Holy Scripture shines forth like a diamond of beauty and value surrounded by worthless bits of glass and paste. The Bible alone is truth. All imitations are lies that deceive the one who believes and follows them.”
Proverbs 30:7 ¶ Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:
Proverbs 30:8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
Proverbs 30:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
I can certainly identify with the writer’s thoughts in these verses. He is asking God to cleanse him of all idolatry, immorality (from the Hebrew for “vanity”) lying and unclean speech (from Hebrew for “lying”) and to keep him in a position of dependence upon Him until he dies. He doesn’t want to be so rich that he is tempted to think he is self-sufficient, and he doesn’t want to be so poor that he is tempted to steal or to use God’s name irreverently.
Obviously, there are times when I wish I had more money; however, I am so thankful that I am in a position of daily dependence upon the LORD. As His child, I know that He wants what is best for me and would never withhold anything that is good from me.
Psalm 84:11 “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
Matthew 7:11 “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
And in Luke, the LORD clarifies that all good gifts come through the Holy Spirit.
Luke 11:13 “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?”
Proverbs 30:10 ¶ Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
Agur warns against speaking slander against a servant to his master, or he will treat you with contempt and seek to punish you for it. I can read the “he” as referring to either the servant or the master, though the immediate antecedent is the master. Slanderous accusation is by definition a false accusation with intent to harm. Neither the servant or the master will respect you once the truth is known.
Proverbs 30:11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
Proverbs 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
Proverbs 30:13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
Proverbs 30:14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
The writer seems to be identifying four different groups of people with the implication that you don’t want to be identified with any of them.
There are those that disrespect their parents; they do not treat them with the honor that the LORD commanded.
Exodus 20:12 “Honour thy father and thy mother….”
There are those that think themselves morally clean, but they are really still need spiritual cleansing.
I couldn’t help but think of the LORD’s words to the church at Laodicea.
Revelation 3:17–18 “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”
There are those that are full of pride. Implied—They see no need for God in their lives.
There are those that use their tongues to destroy those that are poor and needy. Implied—Such are not worthy of mercy or help.
This is the exact opposite of the LORD’s will.
Leviticus 25:35 “And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.”
I am reminded of the words of James, warning us of the power of the tongue.
James 3:5–8 “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”
Ironside: “This generation of people is typified in the New Testament by the Pharisees. Outwardly they were cold and proud, correct and pious, while secretly they devoured widows’ houses and did not heed the cry of the poor.”
Proverbs 30:15 ¶ The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:
Proverbs 30:16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.
The writer references the insatiability of the leech and makes the comparison to four other things that are never filled to satisfaction—the grave, the barren womb, the desert’s need for water, the fire’s need for fuel.
I’m not sure what the application is. In light of the grave, I am reminded that death comes to all. In light of the barren womb, I think of the natural desire of a woman to have children, e.g., Sarah, Rebekah, Hannah, Elizabeth from scripture. In light of the desert needing water, it brings to mind that we are but dust in need of the streams of living water that only Jesus can provide. In light of the fire, I think of how we should burn with the desire to share the good news and the desire to become more like Jesus.
Proverbs 30:17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.
I think the writer is painting a word picture of the terrible judgment that will be leveled against one who dishonors his parents through scorn and disobedience.
EBC Abridged: “The eye manifests the inner heart attitude—so the contemptuous look runs deep.”
Proverbs 30:18 ¶ There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
Proverbs 30:19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
In this set of verses the writer identifies four things that are amazing to him:
How an eagle soars through the air
How the serpent moves on the rocks without legs
How a ship is able to navigate mighty waters
How a man is drawn to love a woman
The implication seems to be that these are just some of the many things that are beyond his understanding.
Proverbs 30:20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
Adultery is the sin of a married partner being unfaithful. The adulterous woman is pictured as one that sees no wrong in satisfying her sexual appetite through unfaithfulness to her husband.
Ironside: “Hardened in conscience, she lives in her sin; but like the eater who wipes his mouth and removes all evidence of his eating, she hides her guilt and boldly says, ‘I have done no wickedness.’”
Proverbs 30:21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:
Proverbs 30:22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
Proverbs 30:23 For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
The writer identifies four things that can cause the people on earth to quake with anger or fear.
A servant that is raised to a position of leadership. He is not prepared to wisely assume such authority and is susceptible to becoming a tyrant.
A fool that is filled with meat. The fool has lack of self-control and is prone to gluttony.
Guzik: “When a fool is satisfied, it only rewards his folly and gives him the energy and the resources to be even more foolish.”
A hated woman that finally gets a husband. Such a woman is likely to be spiteful and selfish.
A handmaid that is heir to her mistress. Implied is that the mistress has no child, making the handmaid susceptible to becoming full of pride and scorning her mistress.
Ironside: “The Septuagint renders the clause ‘A handmaid when she hath supplanted her mistress.’ A home is completely destroyed when one employed as a servant wins the husband’s affections, alienating his wife and children.”
Proverbs 30:24 ¶ There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
Proverbs 30:25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
Proverbs 30:26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
Proverbs 30:27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
Proverbs 30:28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.
Agur makes note of some tiny creatures of nature with naturally wise instincts.
The ant - Though not strong, they wisely gather food in the summer in preparation for the coming winter.
The coney, a type of rabbit, probably the hyrax - They aren’t very strong, and they wisely make their homes among the rocky heights for their protection.
The locusts - Though they have no leader, they wisely march out in large numbers in ranks with order and intent to better accomplish their objective.
The spider or lizard (the Hebrew allows for both) - Though able to be caught with the hands, they still manage to escape capture and make their homes even in palaces. Note: “Her” is not in the Hebrew; “hold” references being able to catch. This supports the other translations such as the NIV: “A lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings’ palaces.”
Obviously, the LORD created these animals to possess these “wise” actions as aids to their survival. There are certainly many more creatures with miraculous natural instincts throughout the world. Maybe the author singled these out to make an even more obvious contrast against the actions of foolish men; even these tiny creatures display more wisdom than such a person.
Smith: “From the ant we learn the wisdom of preparing for the future….The coney, the little hyrax, teaches us the wisdom of recognizing our own weakness and feebleness and to take shelter in that which is stronger than we are….that rock, Jesus Christ….The locust shows wisdom in his cooperative efforts. By himself, the locust can do no harm. As he goes forth in bands, he can be devastating. Oh, that the church would learn the lesson of working together, cooperative endeavors for the kingdom of God….And finally, the gecko shows its wisdom by taking hold with his hands and as the result, dwells in king's palaces. Even as we are to take hold of the promises of God as they of the Old Testament did, that we might dwell one day in the King's palace.”
Proverbs 30:29 ¶ There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:
Proverbs 30:30 A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
Proverbs 30:31 A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
In this set of verses, Agur identifies four creatures that walk in beauty with bold confidence and demand the respect of other creatures.
The lion, recognized as the strongest and most courageous animal among beasts.
The greyhound - One of the oldest breed of dogs that is known for its gracefulness, keen sight and swiftness.
The he goat - It thrives in the high places and “represents strong-mindedness, singleness of purpose, and leadership.” (“Forerunner Commentary”)
A king - A king that cannot be threatened is obviously one with a mighty, loyal army.
Ironside: “The lion is characterized by unflinching boldness; it represents that holy courage which should mark the Christian soldier as he contends earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints….As a girded animal does not rest until it reaches its prey or the goal to which it is running, so the saint is to press swiftly on, refusing to be turned aside by the attractions of this world….The Christian must walk on the high places; then like Habakkuk, he will be able to rejoice in the day of trouble and joy in the God of his salvation when everything of earth seems to fail (Habakkuk 3:17-19). From the soul of the climbing saint there will ever be melody. A heavenly-minded soul is lifted above all the mists of this poor world and enabled to view all from God’s standpoint….the king going forth in undisputed, majestic strength. It is the overcomer, the man of faith, made a king unto God; his dignity is never greater than when he walks in lowliness and meekness through this world, drawing his supplies from above not from below. Great is the honor conferred on all who have been redeemed. No longer children of the night, but of the day, they are called to overcome the world in the power of the truth revealed to them by faith.”
Proverbs 30:32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
Proverbs 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
I like the NLT: “If you have been a fool by being proud or plotting evil, don’t brag about it—cover your mouth with your hand in shame. As the beating of cream yields butter, and a blow to the nose causes bleeding, so anger causes quarrels.”
The converse is implied—The wise person that chooses to do good in obedience to God’s law will promote peace just as surely as a beautiful sunrise gives joy and the flight of the eagle provokes our awe.
Ironside: “It is so easy to provoke another to anger. To do so betrays a soul that is out of communion with God and a disobedient spirit.”